Welcome to the personal web site of
LAURA & RAY BENABAYE AAHCC

MY BACKGROUND I started my path towards The Bradley Method® even before getting pregnant. Although I come from a medical background and I had only been witness to one labor and delivery (a “traditional” hospital birth), I just had this feeling that what I was hearing about and seeing on TV and in the movies could not be all there was. It didn’t feel right. Then one day I found The Bradley Method® and it sounded great! I continued to do my research, just to be sure, but in the end I knew Bradley® was right for me. I had every confidence in my body and the supporting research I did. I wanted the best thing for my baby, as well as for me. And how often do you get the chance to experience everything that goes along with being pregnant, going through labor, and giving birth? Plus, since every birth is different, I did not want to relinquish ONE SINGLE experience to anyone or anything else (such as drugs). Along with my dear husband’s support, we have had the opportunity to have both of our daughters at home with a nurse midwife and a birth assistant, but The Bradley Method® is great for hospital and birth center births, too. My first labor was 3 days long (don’t worry – that is significantly longer than the average) and painful (since the baby was positioned facing the wrong way), but I felt calm and confident throughout, as the result of the knowledge I had from attending Bradley® classes. And when I got pregnant again, I was excited to see how the labor and delivery would be different. (It was a speedy, 9-hour labor.) Finally, taking responsibility for my births has given me more confidence with the decisions I make on a daily basis, as a mom.
CLASS INFO Classes meet Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm, once per week for 12 weeks. They are held in our home in Vienna, VA, less than 2 miles off of I-66, near Oakton. It is also convenient to the Toll Road (via the Hunter Mill exit). In order to allow for lots of personal attention and a comfortable environment, class size is limited. In our classes we will be using your Student Workbooks (which I will give to you at the first class), relevant books and articles, games, discussions, videos, and labor/relaxation practice. Topics include the coach’s role during pregnancy and labor, nutrition for pregnancy, exercise to prepare your body for labor and delivery, relaxation techniques, ways to avoid unnecessary interventions, positive communications, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Many classes include labor rehearsals and videos. NEXT SERIES I will be taking a few months off to have baby #3. I hope to start a new series of classes late September or October, 2010. Mondays 6:30-8:30 pm Benabaye home in Vienna, VA FEE: $350 (includes $50 non-refundable registration fee)
CONTACT INFO If you are interested in joining my class, please contact me to register, or for additional information. Laura Benabaye Vienna, VA 703-938-4243 laura@Baby-Belly.com